Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival at the San Jose International Airport, proceed past Immigration and meet our local representative. You will be driven directly to your hotel, for a smooth and comfortable start to your adventure!

At the hotel enjoy the rest of the day as you desire. (This service is on a private basis.)

This morning at 6:45, you will be greeted by a local representative at your hotel in San Jose for your private transfer to Sansa Airport for your domestic flight to Puerto Jimenez.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Playa Cativo Lodge. From here, Playa Cativo staff will escort you on a picturesque 30-minute boat ride to the lodge taking in the magnificent coastline with tropical vegetation – with occasional sightings of schools of dolphins, turtles, and/or humpback whales en route.

Surrounded by some of the most unspoiled and diverse rainforest in the world, Playa Cativo is a Costa Rica Eco Lodge located on the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce, the inner side of the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. (Golfo Dulce is the only tropical fjord in the Americas.) Unique in its native beauty, seclusion and natural treasures where everything is pitch perfect, Playa Cativo (Cativo Beach) offers an unparalleled experience for those eager to be immersed in nature and away from it all.

Golfo Dulce

The Golfo Dulce, or Sweet Gulf, sits between the Osa Peninsula and Costa Rica's southern Pacific coastline. The large bay hugs pristine beaches, rivers and tall evergreen forest, which is protected as the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve. As one of the wettest places on Earth with over 200 inches of rainfall a year, the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve boasts some of the tallest ancient trees that tower between 100 and 140 feet into the air. Known for its biodiversity, this region is ideal for nature lovers and adventurers.

Playa Cativo Lodge Activities

Enjoy your stay at Playa Cativo Lodge as you'd like! Included in your stay are use of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and snorkeling gear inside Cativo Bay; a 2 hour guided nature walk in the rainforest; and access to self-guided hiking trails around the tropical rainforest reserve. If you're feeling more active, there are a number of tours and activities that can be booked directly at the lodge at an additional cost including (but not limited to): deep sea fishing, stand-up paddle board guided adventures, Piedras Blancas National Park guided hikes, mangrove-ocean guided kayaking, dolphin and whale watching tours, off-grid alternative energy tour, and more! (This service is on a group basis.)

Alas, it's time to say goodbye to this little slice of paradise and continue your journey north. You'll take the Lodge's boat back to the Marina Golfito (approx 30 minute boat ride), where your guide will meet the you and transfer you to Cristal Ballena (about 2 hours by car). The road is in perfect condition so it will be a smooth transfer passing some towns along the Panamerican Highway and occasionally hugging the coast.

After checking in to your hotel, enjoy the pool or head out for a nature walk around Cristal Ballena Gardens on the property.

Uvita

Described by many as one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world, southwestern Costa Rica has plenty of beautiful beaches and fantastic vistas. Of the many spectacular beaches found here, Playa Uvita is among the most stunning beaches on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast. Horseback riding, snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving are very popular activities here, while for those of you who prefer a more relaxed pace, you can go for long walks along the coast, sunbathe on the beach and enjoy the fabulous scenic beauty and marine life that Playa Uvita has to offer. A relatively quiet beach with not many tourists, you can also take a tour of the nearby Caño Island, Violines Island or Ballena Island, or you can hike to the forests and mountains a few miles away.

Marino Ballena Park Combination Tour

The Bahia Aventuras Combo Tour is the best option to see the most of the Marino Ballena National Park. The Boat departs from Punta Uvita Beach after a safety briefing from the guide. This trip explores the Marino Ballena National Park searching for the majestic Humpback Whales (depending on season) and for other marine wildlife such as the Pacific spotted dolphins, bottle nose dolphins, seabirds (pelicans, frigate birds, brown boobies and more), and sea turtles. Water visibility is typically great during the dry season (December through April) and so you'll have some time for snorkeling at whale island, also referred to as “whale rock,” and also to the Whale’s tail (if tides allow) where you can observe turtles, bi-color parrot fish, angel fish, puffer fish and much more. During the rainy season (June to November) you will get the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the ocean instead of snorkeling. Additionally on this trip, you’ll pass by the incredible natural formation of the whale’s tail and a brief pass by Ventanas beach to see and learn about the wonderful marine caves that were carved by the ocean. Depending on the ocean tides, you’ll either briefly stop at Ventanas or Arco beach to enjoy some fresh fruits. Throughout the entirety of this trip, you’ll enjoy the wonderful landscape that the South Pacific region of Costa Rica has to offer. Tour Duration is approximately 3 - 3.5 hours and requires a minimum of 2 guests to operate. (This service is on a group basis.)

Enjoy this free time at your leisure at the resort!

This morning you will be picked up at the Cristal Ballena and transferred to the San Jose Airport in good time to board your departure flight (approximately 4 hours).

We hope you've had an amazing and relaxing stay in Costa Rica and wish you safe travels home!